I grew up Toledo, OH where I avidly remember being rushed to our basement as a kid to dodge tornadoes. From that point on, I've been glued to meteorology and more specifically disastrous storms. Graduated from Florida State University and just started going back for my Master's degree. I currently work as the Continuity of Operations Planner (COOP) for CMS, and I'm in charge of all technical aspects of keeping the Florida Newborn Screening Program and Children's Medical Services (CMS)running during disaster.
As a VERY recent example, we had National Guard members escourting employees through flooding rains from Fay in Jacksonville, FL to get to the lab to continue working.
I plan to be one of those crazy tornado chasers in the midwest when I retire.... In 25 more years. hehe